On today’s episode we are joined by one of the greats of German Football. Born in East Germany at a time of upheaval and division, Michael Ballack went on to become a legend for his country, making 98 appearances and scoring 42 goals. Through playing street football at an early age, Ballack found his love for the game and knew he wanted to become a pro. He came to prominence at Kaiserslautern and was part of the side that did the unthinkable by winning the Bundesliga in 1997. His impressive...

On today’s episode we are joined by one of the most iconic Italians to grace the Premier League. From humble beginnings in Sardinia, Gianfranco Zola was famed for playing the game in a beautiful way. He became one of the rising stars in his hometown which earned him a big money move to Napoli who were led by the God-like figure Diego Maradona. After impressing in Naples, he moved to Parma and formed a deadly partnership with Faustino Asprilla, challenging Juventus for the Serie A title....

On today's episode we are joined by a player who burst onto the scene for Arsenal as a teenager, showing a tenacity and technical ability that few English players have ever possessed. After a breakout performance against Messi and Guardiola’s Barcelona, the sky seemed to be the limit for Jack Wilshere but an ongoing ankle issue would lead to him retiring from the game at age 30 after spells at Bournemouth, West Ham and AGF in the Danish Superliga. Now a coach in the Arsenal system under...

On today’s episode, we are joined by a two time Premier League winner with over 50 caps for England. Paul Ince’s 20 year career took him from his local club West Ham, to Italy, Old Trafford and Anfield as he became one of the few players to represent both sides of the Premier League’s fiercest rivalry… Paul went on to become a manager, learning his trade at Macclesfield Town and MK Dons before a short stint in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers. In 2022 he joined Reading FC but after...

On today’s episode, we are joined by a Premier League great who started off in non-league football and went on to become PFA Player of the Year. Les Ferdinand enjoyed a successful and varied career playing for clubs such as QPR, Tottenham Hotspur as well as being part of the ‘great entertainers’ under Kevin Keegan at Newcastle United. After retirement he returned to West London and took up the role as Director of Football at QPR, becoming the first British black person to hold that...

In this episode, we are joined by our first ever guest from the world of MMA, the welterweight world champion of the world Leon Edwards. One of just 3 UFC champions ever from the UK, Leon has a unique story full of tragedy, resilience and glory. Born in Jamaica before moving to Birmingham, Leon was raised around gang culture, tragically losing his father to gun crime at a young age. MMA would be his salvation, and he now sits on top of the MMA world having not tasted defeat in 9 years. Join...

In this episode, we are joined by Sheffield's own, former welterweight champion of the world Kell Brook. In a long career that featured 40 wins and only 3 losses, Kell fought the very best, never turning down a fight, even when the odds were stacked against him. He won his IBF welterweight championship of the world in historic fashion beating Shawn Porter in his own backyard to put the world on notice. Known for his sharp technical skills, devastating power, and resilience, Kell is best known...

On today’s episode, we are joined by the Manchester United and Danish icon, Peter Schmeichel. Regarded by many as the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history, Schmeichel was a leader in a dominant Manchester United side, winning the treble in 1999 as well as inspiring his native Denmark to a shock title at the European Championship in 1992. Join us as we delve into Schmeichel's incredible career, from his early days in Denmark to his time under Sir Alex Ferguson. We get the inside scoop...

On this week’s episode we are joined by a rarity in English football an American in the dugout. Jesse Marsch started his career in the MLS before moving into football’s Red Bull model. After spells in Salzburg and Leipzig, he moved to the Premier League, leading one of the country’s most iconic clubs in Leeds United. Charged with saving the club from relegation after a period of decline under Marcelo Bielsa, his tenure started successfully before ending abruptly 12 months later. Are...

On today’s episode, we are joined by a double Olympic champion who went on to play a pivotal role in bringing the Olympic Games to London in 2012. From athlete to administrator, Sebastian Coe has been one of the key figures in the world of athletics for nearly 45 years. A world record breaker, his career was marked by rivalries with Steve Ovett and Steve Cram which electrified the nation as they went on to dominate the 1980 games in Moscow and the 1984 games in Los Angeles. Now the...

In this special episode of Up Front, we take a look back on the first year of the podcast. Since the first episode was released in April, we have welcomed some of the most compelling and talented people from across the world of sport onto the show. In this end of year special Simon will give you an insight into his favourite moments, anecdotes and arguments of the series so far whilst also giving you insight into what the show is like behind the scenes…   With more interesting episodes coming...

On today’s episode, we are joined by Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. The epitome of ‘local lad done good’ Robbie Fowler was one of the most naturally gifted goal scorers to grace the Premier League earning him the nickname 'God' among the Anfield faithful. Nobody in Premier League history has scored as many goals as quickly as Fowler. His tally of 64 goals before the age of 21 surpassed the records of football luminaries like Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. After retiring Robbie became a...

In this episode, we are joined by 2-weight world champion Chris Eubank Snr, a boxing legend whose journey from South London to the ring via New York is etched in boxing folklore. Eubank was known for his eccentricity and unique blend of charisma and showmanship which made him a standout figure in the world of boxing and beyond. During the 1990s, Eubank engaged in two legendary clashes with Nigel Benn that brought Britain to a standstill. Now their sons are set to face off in a clash that has...

On this week's episode, we sit down with one of the most beloved British boxers of all time - Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton. Hatton's journey from a council estate in Hattersley to becoming a two-weight world boxing champion is the stuff of legend. His epic showdowns with boxing giants Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao saw thousands follow him to Las Vegas, leaving a mark on boxing history. But it was his memorable IBF light-welterweight title victory against Kostya Tszyu in Manchester...

On today’s episode we are joined by one of only four Englishmen to win the Ballon d’Or. Michael Owen was a phenom who burst onto the scene with THAT goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup. He went on to score over 150 goals for Liverpool before becoming a ‘Galactico’ at Real Madrid. He returned to England in 2005, joining Newcastle United but his injuries had started to take their toll. He would go on to win a Premier League title at Liverpool’s hated rivals Manchester United before...

On this week's episode, we sit down with a true force of nature in the world of boxing - Derek Chisora. From his meteoric rise as a British heavyweight contender, capturing the public's attention with his raw power and fearless attitude, to facing off against some of the sport's biggest names, Chisora has showcased his warrior spirit time and again. His battles against the likes of Vitali Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, and Oleksandr Usyk have earned him a spot in boxing history. The...

On this week's episode Simon sits down with EFL Chair Rick Parry, a visionary in English football. As the top-flight's chief executive, he brokered the largest TV rights deal in history at the time, £700million, and the division prospered. He was also Liverpool's chief executive for 12 years, presiding over that iconic Champions league triumph in Istanbul. Now, in his current role as the chairman of the English Football League, Parry continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape...

Simon is joined by a Dutch footballing icon from the ‘total football’ era. One of only 38 men to have lifted the Ballon d'Or, Ruud Gullit joins the show to discuss his illustrious career, from rejecting Ajax as a young boy all the way through to his infamous spell as manager of Newcastle United. One of the greatest players to ever grace a football pitch, Ruud won multiple European cups during his time at AC Milan whilst also captaining the Netherlands to European Championship glory in 1988....

Eddie Jones is one of the most recognisable coaches on the international rugby stage. Having coached his native Australia, Japan and of course England, where he won multiple Six Nations titles and reached a World Cup final in 2019.   Known for his tough coaching methods, his controversial statements and his unwavering commitment to excellence, Eddie Jones is one of the game’s great characters. He joined the show on Friday 27th October, two days before he announced his resignation from his...

A World Cup winner with four Ashes victories to his name, Stuart Broad is a modern cricketing icon who always stepped up when the lights were shining brightest. After retiring at the end of this year’s electric Ashes series, Stuart joins the show to reflect on his illustrious career whilst providing insight on the current England cricketing revolution, spearheaded by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum A winner, a wind-up merchant and a fierce competitor who has never been afraid to speak his...

On this week's episode, we are joined by one of the UK's most respected boxing trainers - Adam Booth. Famous for guiding David Haye to cruiserweight and heavyweight glory and overseeing Andy Lee's historic WBO middleweight title win, Adam joins Simon to discuss his history in boxing, his run-ins with some of the world's greatest, and the dark side of doping in the sport. Subscribe for future episodes and head to http://www.youtube.com/@UpFrontWithSi... for full video episodes. 18+ please...

For this episode Simon sits down with a boxer who lit up his sport, in divisions that don’t always get the attention they deserve. Rising from the streets of Tigers Bay, Belfast, Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton would go on to become a two weight world champion, brining a noisy and partisan crowd with him no matter the venue. Carl joins the show to discuss his action packed career and his feud with the McGuigans whilst also giving his unique perspective on the current boxing landscape ahead of KSI...

On this week’s show we have a boxer who was borne out of a community, where we are often told that fighting is in the blood. Billy Joe Saunders is a two weight world champion, whose only career defeat came two-and-a-half years ago at the hands of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, in front of the biggest live boxing audience in the USA since Ali vs Spinks. Billy joins the show to announce his comeback, whilst giving us the inside scoop on a career that has featured success and controversy in equal...

In this week’s episode we are joined by a Premier League icon, who was known for his beautiful goals, controversy, fall outs and a fiery Italian passion. Paolo Di Canio started his career at his boyhood team Lazio before plying his trade at a selection of Italian football’s biggest clubs. He went on to achieve legendary status at West Ham United after cementing himself as one of the game’s most volatile yet entertaining talents during his spells at Celtic & Sheffield Wednesday. His...

In this week’s episode we are joined by a three time Premier League winner and a defensive stalwart who captained a Manchester United team that kickstarted Sir Alex Ferguson’s dominance in English football. Steve Bruce has since managed over 1,000 games across a 24 year period, even managing for Simon Jordan at Crystal Palace. He joins the show to open up on the difficult moments within his career, whilst also giving his thoughts on the state of play at his former clubs Newcastle and...